Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark [Review]
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a Metroidvania-style game that incorporates two-player cooperative gameplay within an anime-inspired demonic setting. Players assume the roles of two demon maids, Kirika who utilizes a firearm and Masha who employs a whip. Each maid possesses distinct abilities and items, and undertakes a quest to revitalize their fallen kingdom. Their objective is to locate their monarch's dispersed remains and the spirits of deceased servants to reinstate his power.
The game presents an expansive, intricate map filled with demons and obstacles.Through out your gameplay the girls procure novel skills, such as a double jump, aerial dash, and my favorite, a speed enhancement similar to the Sonic Advanced games or the current day boost button mechanics in newer Sonic games. These abilities, much like really any metroidvania, allows you to unlock previously inaccessible areas for exploration. Playing in two-player co-op does have some unintended cheating mechanics. Players can stand on each other's heads and reach aries that are usually inaccessible early on in game.
Gal Guardians features a diverse array of side weapons, including various swords, kunai, and explosives. These Items can be used for combat and puzzle solving. Although a fantastic game, it exhibits certain shortcomings. The fast travel mechanism is inadequately executed, and the leveling system is reliant on random drops and overpriced merchants, intentionally set to impede progression to lengthen the game. The game lacks consistent directional guidance, and exploration becomes an annoyance over time due to recurrent backtracking. Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a praiseworthy Metroidvania that provides an enjoyable cooperative experience, a captivating story, fun gameplay and witty dialogue. Despite its flaws. This game stands out in the genre and is easy for me to recommend especially if you are looking for a fun two-player co-op game. The cooperative gameplay feature is a standout element, as it is not commonly found in Metroidvania games.
